Apparatus amd



5. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Oct. 6,

Filed March 1, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. x j raywaLoc/ra Oct. 6,

. S. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Filed March 1, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Oct 6, 1925- .5565

' s. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Filed March 1,1925 I V J 70 7o 69 62 6| 65 9 i g- 7 36 INVENTOR. Ay/rdm/a 0. LameATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet Oct 6, 5. D. LUCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FORMAKING CHAINS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 1, 1935 IN VEN TOR.flrawmZZLM-e RT I SIIZ ATTORNEY- Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

entree stares insane ATENTOFFIIC'E SYLVANUS D. LOCKE;OCEVBRIDGEBOR'I,CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOGKE STEEL CHAIN -OMJEANY,01?, BRIDGET-PORT, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS AND PItOC Application filed March To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that SYnvANUs D. Looms, a c1t1zen of the United States, andresident of Bridgeport,in the county of Fair-field and 5 State ofConnecticut, has invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinApparatus and Processes for Making Chains, of which thefollowing is aspecification.

.Thisinvention relates to improvements in methods of and machines formaking chain links and assembling them, more particularly to .a methodof and a machine for making chains having at intervals attachment orspecial links. The invention is an improvement upon the processes of andmachines" for making chains, examples of which are shown and describedin the. application for patent of Charles Parker, Serial No. 501,429,filed .se itember 17, 1921, and in Letters Patent of the United States,No.:-1,10,7,809 to S. D. Locke, patented August 18,1914; and No.1,107,831 to H. Osswald, patented August 18, 19141.

One object of the invention is to provide special or. attachment links.

Another ob ect of the invention 15 to provide in a chain machine of thecharacter de scribed, means for interspersing or assembling with theplain links made on the machine, special or attachment links.

Elevator or conveyor chains are generally made up of sections or lengthsof plain links between which are provided special or attachment linkscarrying wings or proiec tions adapted to supporter propel buckets,slats, conveyor elements or the like. In chain machines, prior to theParker machine, it was customary to make the plain links and the specialor attachn'ient links on separate machines and to intersperse by handthe latter linksin the chain or be tween sections of plain links.

This invention provides an improved 59 stripinto nennected plainsprocket chain -links; accelerating or hastening, pref? is, the feed:

erably at predetermined interva a novel method of making chains having.

method of manufacturing chains particu- ESS EQRtMAKING CHAINS.

1, 1923. Serial N0. 622,092.

ing ofthe connected plain links so that said connected plain linksarefed forwardly a plurality of steps while the strip of metal isfedforwardly one step; and (3) feeding to orinserting in between the lastformed plain link and the forward portion of the strip of metal, apartially formed special linklhaving a wing attachment or proiection,whereby the transforming steps upon the stripof metal may be continuousto successively complete the link formation on the plain links and tosimultaneously complete the link formation on the special link,incorporating the special link in the chain between two plain links.

he a special link is to be interspersed with plain links by practicingthe method of i the applicationof Charles Parker, Serial No.501,429.,filed Sept. 17, 1921, the feeding of the strip of metal isarrested while the connected plain links are fed a step forwardly toprovide a space on the stationary die of the press to receive thespecial link. Consequently, for each special link inserted there is acessation or break in the cont-inuity of the steps of the method. Themethod of this invention provides for the inter spersion of special orattachment links with plain links without breaking the continuity of theoperationsnecessary to the transformation of a strip of metal intoconnected plain links.

()ther objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from thefollowing description of the construction and operation of a machineembodying the invention in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein I have shown one form of construction merely.

Fig. 1 is a front View, partly in section, of a machine embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is sectional view on. line 2-9 in Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows, omitting the countershaft and disclosing inside elevation the mechanism for feeding the partly completed special orattachment links to the duplicate finishing portion of the dies by-whichthe plain links are made;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of said attachment link feed mechanismdetached, as when seen from the rear of tlli machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a portion of said attachment link feedmechanism.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in side elevation of thestrip feed mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of the forming dies, extractingmechanism, and sizing mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partly sectional view of the dies for making theplain links and finishing the attachment links, showing them in sectionwith a strip of metal between them, and also showing a portion of thesizing or stretcher mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an edge view of a strip of metal in process of formation intoa chain, some formed and coupled plain links being shown, and disclosinga special or attachment link (shown more clearly in Fig. 8) in positionto be incorporated in the chain;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the metal strip, special or attachmentlink, and plain links shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the movable die and the sizing orstretcher mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the stationary die and that portion of thefeed mechanism for the special or attachment links associated therewith,a special or attachment link being disclosed in position to be fed tothe duplicate finishing portion of the dies;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of a strip of metal showing scoring;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the link extracting mechanism;

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail views of fragments of the link extractingmechanism, showing how the feed of the connected links can'beaccelerated or hastened at predetermined intervals;

Fig. 16 is a front view of the metal strip guide; and

Fig. 17 is a section on line 17-17 in Fig. 13.

In the drawings, 1 indicates an entirety, the main frame of the machinecomprising uprights 2, 3 and a bed 4 arranged between the uprights.

5 is a vertically reciprocatable slide mounted to move up and down inguides 6, 7 on the main frame.

8 is a main drive shaft transversely mounted in bearings at the upperend of the frame. 9 is a countershaft transversely mountedupon the mainframe and extending from one side to the other thereof. At one side ofthe main frame the countershaft earries a loose pulley 10, a fast pulley11, and a fly wheel 12. At the other side of the frame the saidcountershaft has mounted loosely upon it a pinion 13 carrying oneelement 14 of a clutch, the other element 14: of which is splined to thecmintershaft 9. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for throwing thelongitudinally movable element 1 1' of said clutch into and out ofengagement with the element 14, so as to transmit power through thepinion 13. 15 is a gear wheel rigidly secured to said main shaft and inmesh with the pinion 13.

16 is an eccentric on the main shaft 8 con nected by eccentric straps17, 17', and pitman 18 to the slide 5.

As the construction of the press in itself forms no part of theinvention, any known type of press having a reciprocatable slide and abed or bolster beneath it may be readily adapted to operate the chainlink forming and assembling mechanism to be hereinafter described, andno further description of the press shown in the drawings is deemednecessary, as this particular press has been chosen simply forillustrative purposes and not in any limiting sense.

Any suitable mechanism may be attached to the press for feeding thestock or strip of metal from which the chain links are to be formedacross the bed or bolster of the press. For the purpose of illustrationI have, in the drawings, shown a feed mechanism of which 19 is a bracketsecured to the standard 3 of the frame and having a horizontallydisposed platform 20, the inner end of which extends into a. hole 3through the standard 3.

21, 21, are side walls extending vertically upward, one at each side ofthe )lat form 20. 22 is a horizontally IOClPIOCHlJlO slide suitablymounted at either side in guideway in the said side walls 21. It restsupon a horizontally disposed friction plate 23 having downwardlyextending pins 24, 2 1:, each surrounded by a coil spring 25 hearing atits lower end against the platform 20 so as to provide a yieldingsupport for the slide 22 which normally tends to press the slide againstthe upper walls of its guideways to insure the closing of the feed jaws,to be hereinafter described, before the slide commences to move forward.

26 is a gripping piece carried by the slide 22, having an upwardlyturned jaw 26' adapted to engage the under surface of the stock or stripof metal to be fed across the bed or bolster.

27 is an oscillntable gripping dog having a jaw 27 adapted to engage theupper surface of the strip of metal to be fed, at a point directly abovethe gripping jaw 26'. This gripping jaw 27 is pivotally mounted betweenupwardly extending lugs or ears 22'. 22, on the slide 22. and carries anupwardly extending arm 28.

29 is a bell crank lever pivotally connected at 29 between the sidewalls 21 of the bracket 19.

30 is a rod pivotally connected at 30' to the upper end of the arm 28,and at 30 to the free end ofthearm 29 of the bell crank lever 29.

31 is an adjustable stop forglimiting the.

34, 34 and 35, are straightening rolls These rolls.

for'the strip of metal or stock. are horizontally disposed and suitablymounted between the side walls 21, 21 on the bracket 19. Astrip ofmetal, indicated by 36, is directed between the rolls 34, 3d, and 35, 35and between the gripping lips} 26?. and 27. .The dog 2? and arm 28 areshaped and proportioned to have aslight rocking motion relative to theslide 22, so

that in normal operation, as the connecting rod 30 is drawn to the rightin Figs. 1 and 41-, the. gripping jaw 27 is rocked out of en gagementwith the upper surface of the strip of metal .36. The arm 28 thenengages the stop 31 and the slide 22 recedes with the connecting rod 30.Upon the reversal of travel of the rod 30, t rocks forward the upper endof the arm 28 and causes the gripping jaw 27 toengagethe upperjsurfaceof the strip 36, therebyv gripping the said. strip firmlybetween thejaws26 and 27, and the slide 22 and strip 36am together-fed forward.

Any suitable dies or forming elements may be employed for striking upand forming each, chain link from a strip of metal and coupling it tothe next preceding link. In the drawingsl have shown the use of tworigid dies for this purpose which are capable of use in connection withthe features of the present invention, one of said (lies being movableand the other stationary.

Of the die and forming mechanism herein, shown, 47 represents as anentirety the movable die it being suit-ably connected to the slide 5.

1-8 represents a bolster or die bed for the stationary die. It isdetachably secured to the bed 4 in any suitable manner. l9 represents asan entirety a stationary die suitably secured in the die bed 48.

The dies 47 and 49, which cooperate with each other to form and assemblethe links, are arranged in longitudinal alinementwith the line of feedof the strip 36 and are properly centered relative to said line of feed.

50, 51 are scoring knives or chisels arranged at. the right hand end ofthe movable 4t? andadapted to impart lines of score to the upper surfaceof the strip of metal, and 52, 53, are corresponding scoring knives orclnsels carried by the stationary the 49 i and arranged to impart linesof score 52' 53" respectively, to the under surface of the strlp of1netal, (see 1.1), each of which lines is directlyjbeneath a line ofscore or 51 (see Fig. 8), imparted by one of. the upper scoring knives.

Of the dies t? and 49, 54 is a severing and crimping element on theupper die having a convex crimping surface. It is arranged to cooperatewith a cutting and bending knife 55 on the lower the. The lower CllO isre ceased at 56 in front of the cutting knife 55 andbeneath the severingand crimping element 54. The metal of the stationary die 49 111 front ofthe recess 56 is'cut away along the inclined line 57 to perlnita sectionof the metal of each link blank to be bent down- ;wardly by the severingand crnnping element 54;beforo it has been severed at one end by thecombined action of this element and, knife 55.

58 is a curved forming or crimping element on the movable die 47, aboutwhich the metal for forming the smaller end bar or pintle of each linkis bent, or crimped. In front of this finger 58 is a recess 59, and infront of it is an irregular shaped curl bar forming punchelement 60consisting of two substantial quarter circles 60, 60.

61 is a forming and bending projection on the stationary die, it beingadapted to enter the recess 59 in the movable die. 51 is a shoulder onthe projection 61 adapted to fold or. crimp the metal for the small endof the link against the curved end of the element 58 on the movable die.

62 is a scoring knife on the stationary die adapted to impart atransverse score to the strip of metal along the line of sex-'erance oftwo links which are to adjoin each other and in conjunction with the:l'orining' corners 61, (31, is adapted to force the metal of the linkto ifOlhHV the quarter circles 60 60, on the former 60. This scoringknife (5%). is in vertical alineinent with the line of intersection ofthe said two quarter circles of the punch. elc-n'icnt 60. In advance ofthe said punch element 60 the movable die is recessed as indicated at 63to allow clearance for the free upturning of the long lip of the metalblank for a link, which at this step of its format-ion projects upwardlyfrom the metal strip. At 64- the stationary die is recessed to re ceivea cutting or severing knife 65 on the movable die, the edge 64- being aknife edge to work in conjunction with the knife 65 to sever the metalstrip. Immediately in front of the cutting knife 65, the movable die isshaped as indicated at 66 to complete the rounding and fornration of thesmall end bar of each link in cooperation with the re- At 68 the movabledie is recessed for the purpose of engaging the longer section or lip ofmetal turned up from the central portion of each link blank and bending,curling and conforming it to the cylindrical shape desired, at the sametime causing it to encircle the small end bar or pintle of the link infront of it, thereby coupling or attaching these links together. Thestationary die is recessed at 69 to cooperate with the recessed portion68 of the movable die in the final shaping and forming of the large endbar of each. link.

70 is a projection or mandrel extending transversely across the recessedportion 69 of the stationary die. It serves to prevent the ends of thelips of metal forming the large end or sprocket bar of each link fromengaging with each other, and to space them apart a predetermineddistance.

The recess 68 and recess 69 with mandrel 70 comprise the finishingportion or station on the dies for the plain links. Just beyond saidfinishing portion or station is aduplicate finishing portion constitutedby the similar recess 68' in the movable die and 69 in the stationarydie, the latter recess having a mandrel 70 which is a duplicate of themandrel 70.

71 is a strip gage for centering the meta] strip 36 relatively to theforming dies as it is fed forward, it preferably consisting of a bar ofmetal arranged transversely on the stationary die bed and suitablysecured in position a little distance from the scoring chisels 52 and53. In the top of this bar of metal is a V-shaped groove 71 with theaxis of the V in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the dies.The walls of this V-shaped groove are preferably elevated somewhat abovethe horizontal plane of the stationary die and the width of the grooveat its middle vertically is preferably of the width of the standard sizestrip to be used with the set of dies to which the gage is attached. Thetaper of this gage allows for variation in width of the strip of metal36, so as to insure the proper centering of the strip despite itsvariation in width.

Mechanism of any suitable character, is employed for extracting andguiding the formed chain links out of the machine, and this chain linkextracting mechanism includes mechanism indicated as an entirety at 37,capable of accelerating or hastening the feed of the connected links atpreferably predetermined intervals. For illustration, I have shown achain guide 76 comprising two bars 76, 76*, rigidly secured at theirinner ends to the die bed 48, and projecting into the opening 3 throughthe adjacent wall of the main frame of the machine. These bars arelongitudinally grooved and recessed as indicated at 76 to constitute aguide way for the chain. The bars are recessed at 76 to receive a coverplate 76 which is pivotally connected at 7 6 between upwardly projectingears 76 of the said guide bars. 76 is a thumb nut extending through aslot 76 in the cover plate 7 (i and detaehably fitted into the guide bar76 for the purpose of holding down the cover plate.

77 is a sprocket wheel arranged between and projecting between the guidebars 7 6, 76. It is carried by a shaft 77' mounted in bearing blocks77*, each detachably secured to one of the aforesaid guide bars. 77" isa pawl carrying arm loosely mounted on the shaft 77. 77 is a pawlpivotally connected to the arm 77*. 77 is a ratchet wheel rigidlysecured to the shaft 77' and havin its teeth in the plane of the pawl77. 71 is a lug or projection carried by the slide 5. It is pivotallyconnected at 77 to a rod 77", the lower end of which is pivotallyconnected at 7 7 h to the pawl arm 77'.

38 is a cam arm pivoted on the frame of the machine as at 39; 40 is aspring normally holding the cam arm in upright position; 44: is a screwsecuring the spring 40 to the machine frame; 41 is a pin carried by theratchet wheel 77 and 42 is a pin carried by the pawl 77.

78 is a spring having one end secured at 78' to the frame of the machineand its other end bearing against the teeth of the sprocket wheel 77 toform a frictional resistance to the rotation of the latter.

The upper end of the cam arm 38 is adapted to be engaged by the pin 42on the pawl 77. when the cam arm is in upright position and the slidedescends so that the pawl can successively pass back over but a singletooth of the ratchet wheel 77, whereby the chain link extractingmechanism will normally feed the connected links one step while thestrip of metal is fed forwardly one step. The pin 41 on the ratchetwheel 77" is :ulapt ed to advance against the cam arm 38 to move it onits pivot away from the ratchet wheel in such manner that the pin 42will clear the cam arm at the predetermined iuterval to pass back overtwo teeth of the ratchet wheel 77 when it is desired to feed theconnected chain links a plurality of steps forwardly while the strip ofmetal is :uL vancing a single step. See Figs. 14, and 15. \Vhen the pin41 passes the cam arm 38, the spring 40 returns this arm to its normalposition.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for the purpose of correcting thesize and pitch of the chain links. The size and pitch correctingmechanism is indicated as an entirety by 79. 79' is an arm extendingforward from and preferably detachably secured to the movable die 47.This arm 7 9 has formed preferably integrally with it, a downwardlyextending finger 79 which is pointed at its lower end as indicated at79",

Hill

the rear surface 79 of the said pointed finger ivardly beneath the arm79, as indicated at 79 and is adapted to enter thesproelcet opening inthe linknext preceding the link entered by thefingei"79 79 is anadjustment screw fitted in thefinger 79 and adapted to extend on therear side of the latter and bear against thearni 79. Its purpose is toadjust Fthe said finger about the axis of the pivot79 and toward orfroni the finger 79. The adjustnientwheel 7 9 forthe screw 79 has atoothed or serrated periphery 79 79 is a lockpaivl extending through anopening in the forward projection 79 of the linger "79 and engaginghviththe periphery of the thumb Wheelto hold the Wheel at point ol": adj ustnient. 79 is a springbearing at one end against the lock paWlTS andhaving its otherend'securetl at '79 tothe finger 799 I t a The distancebetvteeh the front Wallet the downward" extension 79 or the finger79"and the rear Wall of thefingert'tl reinalns substantially constant whenthe inachine is in operationfldf a link is shorter in pitch than itshould be, these sizing fingerswill bring-it up to proper pitch bystretching it. The mechanism for correctingthesizeand pitch of thechain'links can obviously be of a construction different from thatillustrated, for exaniple; there could be aplural'rty offingers' il yThe operation of theniachine as thus far described Will be readilyunderstood. A strip (ifmttll 36 is directedthroughtheteed mechanismuntil*the'grippirig aWs 26, 27, of tlie te'ed n1ecl1anisn'i can engageWith it. Po-Wer then applied through the countershaft?) to actuate thestrip leedanechanisin and slide hi The stripis guided andcenteredbythegage so as to lie properly bet\veen"tliedies l? and49. When the slide5 descends thescoring knives iinpartto the uppersurtacept the strip ofmet-a1, lines of score, and thescoring'chisels likeivise indpart linesof score to the under surface of said strip. lVhe'n the slide nextascends, the feedmechanism feeds forward the strip of meta-l one stepand the first forming elements of the dies operate on the strip. Thestrip is fed forward step-'by-step at each eleva: tionof the slide, thedies acting on eachlink blankto iornia completed link. After the firstcompleted link has beenitormed, the operator extracts it froni the diesandposi tions it to be coupled to the next sncceeding linle" Theoperator continues to extract and a time. As the slide descends afterthe last lorniedlihlr has becn extracted by the extracting mechanism,the pitch correcting inechanisin properly centers said link relativetothe final link forming elements of the dies. The pitch correcting orsizing fingers operate at eachdescent'of the slideto enter tWo coupledlinks in the cha'inguide to stretch said links up to gage, it required:

i As "already explained, When the pin 41, carried by theratchet Wheel 77is holding thecani arm 38 away from the ratchet Wheel out of itsverticalposition as it is shown in Fig 15 so that the pawl 77 passes"back over tWo teeth of the ratchet wheel .77 when the slide descends,and the slide 5 ascends,the feeding of the connected chain links isaccelerated or hastened as indicated, While the strip of metal inove'sahead but a single step. The result is that the link last formed andsevered from the inetalstrip is moved two steps forward and the strip ofmetal is moved one step forward, leaving a link space'on thednplicatehnishing portion or the stationary die between the linksections WhlCll were advanced two steps and the inetal strip whichWasadvanced but a singlestep. a

The niechanisin yet to be described cooperates to feed partiallycompleted specialbr attachhrentlinlr to said duplicate finishing portionof the stationarytlie at the limit of that ascent of the slide 5}occur'ing when saidlink spaceis produced in the manner just described,andin positionto he incorporated in tl'iestraiid' of chain.

Each partially completed special or at: tachinent link is fed totlIeproper position at the duplicateasseinblingstation on thestatiol'iai'y die, and the partially completed attachmentlinksarepreferably of the same size and of approxiniate constructionof the111eta1'se 1p'or link section then at the first assembling station,except that eachs aecial link additionally hasan attaching portion A,best shoivn in Figs. and 10 It vvill be noted that the grooves 76 in thebars th chain link extracting neclianislntFig. '17) are of sufficientdepthto allow free pas sage of the attaching portionsA. v Of theleedmechanism for the partially completed specia-lfor attachhient links, 80represents a pair of brackets niounted upon the rear faces'o'fthenpperportions of the uprights 2' and 3, respectively,andproyidinghearings for aprockshaft extending fron one side to theother of the main frainef v 82 is a horizontallydisposed arni fixed uponthe rock shaft 81 and extending rearwardly therefrom, having at itsouter end a hook portion 82 adapted to hold one end of a coil spring 83the opposite end of which is held by a hook 84, supported in the bed 4.

An L-shaped member fixed upon the rock shaft 81 consists of a verticallydisposed, downwardly extending arm 85 merging into a horizontallydisposed, forwardly extending, preferably hook-shaped arm 85. 86 is avertically disposed ratchet rotatably mounted upon the rear face of theupright 3 of the main frame, as indicated at 86, and 87 is a pawlpivoted upon the slide 5 to engage the teeth 86 of said ratchet. Aspring 87 and a stop 87 on the slide 5 insure the proper workingposition of the pawl. The free end of the arm 85 is normally pressedagainst the rear face 86 of the ratchet 86 by the influence of thespring 83, acting through the arm 82 and shaft 81. 86 is a hole throughsaid ratchet positioned to at intervals aline with the free end of thearm 86, to permit operation of the rock shaft 81 by the spring 83.

88 is a block fixed upon the slide 5 and havin a transversely disposedcam face 88 exten ing. downwardly and forwardly of said block.

89 is a vertically disposed lever fixed upon the rock shaft 81 andextending downwardly therefrom; 89 is a roller mounted upon the lever 89intermediate its ends and adapted to engage the cam face 88. 90 is ahorizontally disposed link the forward end of which is pivoted upon thelower end of the lever 89, as indicated at 90', and the rearward end ofwhich'is pivoted, as indicated at 90, upon the upper end of a lever 91,itself pivoted intermediate itsends, as indicated at91, upon a bracketarm 92 extending from the bed 4. 'The lower end of the lever 91 ispivoted,as indicated at 91, to a horizontally disposed L-shapedattachment link feed member the arm 93 of which extends directly forwardand beyond the front of the main frame and is slidably mounted in abearing block 94 fixed to the left hand end of the stationary die holder48 and arranged beneath the chain guide of the link extractingmechanism, and the arm 93 of which extends a short distance from lefttoright in spaced relation to the front side of the stationary die holder.

95 is an. attachment link receiving member positioned so that the topsurface of its inner end 95 is flush with the top surface of thestationary die 49, and so that said inner end is in alinement with theposition on the stationary die towhich the special or attachment linksare to be at intervals fed, This receiving member 95 has at its sideedges suitably shaped upturned flanges 95 for the obvious purpose ofguidingthe Special or attachment links. i

The attachment link receiving member 95 is also provided with alongitudinal slot 95 adapted to slidably receive a pin 96 projectingupwardly from the free end of the arm 93 and attached, indicated at 97,to a feed plate 98 arranged between the flanges 95 of the receivingmember 95 and adapted to reciprocate upon said receiving members.

99 is a stop for the special or attachment links, positioned upon thefinishing portion of the stationary die.

As hereinbefore suggested, the special or attachment links may be partialy completed on a separate machine and afterwards successively placedupon the receiving member 95 in front of the feed plate 98, as veryclearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, in position to beautomatically fed at predetermined intervals to the )roper location onthe finishing portion of the die. The attachment links may be so placedupon the receiving member 95 in any preferred manner either by hand orby suitable mechanism of some particular construction forming no part ofthe present invention. It will be noted that the receiving member 95 isarranged to place the special or attachment links on the stationary dieof Fig. 10 a little to the left of its final assembling position, for areason to be made clear.

The manner in which the attaclnnent link feed mechanism operates will beobvious. Upon each upward movement of the slide 5 the pawl 87 engages atooth 86* of the ratchet 86 to rotate said ratchet one step. The coilspring 83 at all times tends to rotate the rock shaft 81 to swing thevertically disposed lever 89 forwardly but forward swinging of saidlever is normally prevented by the engagement of the hook arm 85 withthe rear face 86 of the ratchet 86.

The ratchet 86 is made to have one less tooth than the ratchet wheel 77of the chain link feed mechanism and the hole 86 in said ratchet 86 ispositioned to be in alinement with the free end 85 of the arm 85 whenthe slide 5 is at the limit of that ascent occurring when the feeding ofthe connected links is accelerated or hastened to produce a link spaceon the duplicate finishing portion of the statitmary die. For each pin41 utilized, spaced at uniform or varying distances about the ratchetwheel 77, there must be a corresponding hole 86 in the ratchet 86 aswill be evident.

At the instant the slide is at the limit of that ascent just mentioned,the arm 85' enters the hole 86, the spring 83 operating to rotate therock shaft to swing the lever 89 forwardly, and said lever 89, throughthe instrumentality of the link 90, rotates the lever 91 on its pivot tocause the arm 93 of the attachment link feed member to slide rearwardlyin the bearing block 94,

lot)

and the arm- 93 of said attachment link feed member to actuate the feedplate to move the attachment link at that particular time in the linkreceiving member, to its proper position on the duplicate finishingportion of the stationary die. The roller 89 is located to engage thecana face 88 when the lever 89 swings forwardly as just described, andupon the succeeding descent of the slide, saiol cam face travels oversaid roller to swing the lever 89 backward to normal position,withdrawing the arm 85 from the hole 86. As soon as the slide againstarts to ascend,the pawl 87 rotates the ratchet 86 a suflicientdistance to remove the hole 86 from its position of alinement. with thefree end of the hook arm 85, before the higher'portion of the block 88has been sufficiently elevated to release the roller 89; The movement ofthe vertically disposed lever 89 to normalposition, ob-

viously-returns thefeed' plate to its nor- -mal position, that is, tothe position in which it is shown in Fig. 10. a i

As the slide 5 descends when a special or attachment link is on theduplicate finishing portion of the stationary die, the surface 79 or thecorrectingfinger 79 engaging a connected link and forcing it slightlyrearwardly, against the inserted specialorattachment link, causessaidlink to have its proper asseinblingposition on theduplicatev'finishing portion of the stationarydie. See Figs. 7 and 8,wherein the strip metal, connected chainlinks, and

special link are shown in their relation at the instant after thespecial link was placed onl'theduplicate finishing portion of thestationary die, and Fig. 6 wherein the stationary and movable die areshown att'he instant a special link is incorporated-in the strand ofchain.

It is to be noted that the attachment linkfeed mechanism does notoperate until at'- tor the ln'1lccxtracting mechanism has ad vanced theplaln hnks two steps and the strip of metal has been fed forwardly onefinishing portion making no impression upon the plamlmks as they passthrough the duplicatefinishing or assembling station.

Many alterations in the construction, and many apparently widelydiffering embodiments and applicationsof the invention willsuggestthemselves to those skilled in the art of making chain" makingmachines and elevator or attachment chains, without departing from thescope and spirit thereof.

"be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

i 1. The method of making chains having special links which consists intransforming a'strip of metal into similar links, interspersing speciallinks with said similar links and successively connecting all of saidlinks simultaneously with the performance of operations of transformingsaid strip of metal into additional similar links. I

2. The method of making chains having special links, which consists intransforming a strip of metal into successive similar links,interspersing partially completed special links with said similar linksand successively connecting all of said links simultaneously with theperformance of operations of transforming the strip of metal intoadditional similar links.

3. The method of making chains having special links, which consists informing a series of similar links from a strip ofmctal, connectingcertain of said similar links together, interspersing special links withsaid similar links, and connecting said special links with adjacentlinks of the chain simultaneously with the performance of operations oftransforming said' strip of metal pleted special link to a precedingsimilar link, completing the partially completed special link, andperforming a plurality of thiferent similar link-formation steps on thepartof the blank strip following the special link. I

5. The method of making chains having special links which consists intransforming a strip of metal into similar links, of interspersingspecial links with said similar links and successively connecting all ofsaid links concurrently with the performance of trans forming operationsupon the strip of metal.

6. The method of making chains having special links, which consists inthe opera= tions of transforming a-strip of metal into a section ofseveral connected similar links and of connecting a special link withsaid section concurrently with the performance of transformingoperations upon the strip of metal.

7. The method of making chains having special links, which consists intransforming a strip ofmetal into connected similar links, interspersingspecial links-with said similar links and connecting said'special linksin thestrand of chain and betweencertain of said similar linksconcurrently with the performance of transforming operations upon thestrip of metal,

8. The method of making chains having special links, which consists intransforming a strip of metal into sections of several similar linkseach, interspersing partially completed special links with said similarlinks and incorporating said special links in the strand of chain andbetween said sections concurrently with the performance of transformingoperations upon the strip of metal.

9. The method of making chains having special links, which consists inthe operations of transforming a strip of metal into sections of severalconnected similar links each, of interspersing partially completedspecial links with said similar links before at least one of the similarlinks is completed and of successively connecting said special links inthe strand of chain and between said sections concurrently with theperformance of transforming operations upon the strip of metal.

10. The method of making conveyor chains, which consists in providingplain links by forming step-by-step operations upon a strip of metal, inproviding conveyor links, and in connecting each conveyor link asprovided with the next preceding plain link simultaneously with theperformance of operations upon the strip of metal, whereby the conveyorchain can be composed of strands constituted by at least one plain linkand one conveyor link.

11. The method of making conveyor chain, which consists in providingplain links by forming step-by-step operations upon a strip of metal, inproviding conveyor links, and in connecting all of the links as providedconcurrently with the performance of additional link forming operationsupon the strip of metal.

12. The method of making conveyor chain progrcsively, which consists inproviding plain links by performing step-by-step operations upon a stripof metal, in providing special links, and in then simultaneouslyconnecting at least one plain link and one special link in a strand ofchain.

13. The method of making chain, which consists in transforming a stripof metal into plain links, in interspersing special links with the plainlinks, and in connecting a plurality of links in the chainsimultaneously with transforming operations upon the strip to' providestrands each consisting of at least one plain link and one special link.

14. The method of making chains having special links, which consists insuccessively transforming a strip of metal into connected similar'links,feeding forward said similar links and strip during the intervalsbetween transforming operations upon said strip, accelerating thefeeding movement of said similar links at predetermined intervals toproduc a link space between said connected links and said strip, andincorporating a special link in said link space and connecting the samewith the next preceding link of said connected links.

15. The method of making chains having special links which consists insuccessively transforming a strip of metal into connected similar links,feeding forward said similar links and strip during the intervalsbetween transforming operations upon said strip, then accelerating thefeeding movement of said similar links at predetermined intervals toproduce a link space between the connected links and said strip, andincorporating a special link in said link space and connecting thespecial link between a pair of similar links.

16. The method of making chains having special links, which consists intransforming a strip of metal into similar links, feeding forward saidstrip and links during the intervals between transforming operationsupon said strip, severing each link as completed from the strip of metaland connect ing it with the next preceding link, accelerating thefeeding movement of said connected links at intervals to provide a linkspace between the connected links and strip of meta], positioning aspecial link in said link space, and connecting the special link in thechain between two similar links.

17. The herein described process of forming a' chain having speciallinks which consists in feeding forward a strip of metal andprogressively forming said strip 'step-by-step into connected links,feeding the connected links forward step-bystep, accelerating thefeeding of said links to form a link space between certain of the links,feeding into said space a separate link corresponding in shape and sizeto the link section formed therein in said stepby-step formation, andthen connecting said link in the chain.

18. The method of making from sheet steel, drive chain having specialattachments which consists in mrtially forming from such steel, linkscarrying the desired attachment, transforming step-by-step a strip ofsaid steel into connected chain links, feeding the connected chain linksahead step-by-step with the operations upon the strip of steel, andperiodically accelerating the feeding ahead of the connected chain linksand inserting one of said attachment links be tween and connecting it toa pair of plain links.

19. The method of making chain having special attachments, whichconsists in successively transforming a strip of metal into connectedplain links, accelerating the feeding of the plain links at intervals toprovide a link space between the strip of metal and the plain links,inserting a special link between said plain links and strip of metal.connecting said special link to said plain links and simultaneouslylinishing an addi tion'a'l ;plain link and connecting it -to saidspecial link.

' 20. Themethod bl \l'iorming *chain sprogressi vcly, which consists inleeding"material to"andbetween a plurality oi bending and transformingelements, causing relative movement between portions oi the materialbeing transformed to form a spacetherebetween, feeding to suclr'spaceother material for incorporation with and between said portimes, and inthen sin'inltaneously connecting *atil'east *one-b i'said portions andsaid other nraterial "in a strand or chain.

"21. "In "awnacliine Ol the character":describedflthe combination with'1neims"lor transforming a "strip of 'metalf into similar "links, ofmeans for intermittently interspewin special links with said similar"links and means for 'eonnectinglinks operating siinult ane'olisly "withthe means for traiisforming the strip bf metal.

f 22. .[n- -amacl1ineof tlie character described, the combination Withmeans "for "transforming a strip ofmet al, step-by-step into'a"-seriesof similarli nksyof means for connecting special links Withsaid" similar links While said transforming means 1, is

operating.

"In amachineof the characte described thecombination Wifll means fortransforming a strip of metal step 'by step intoa seriesbi similarlinksy'of means for connecting special links *betweeirsaicl 'simi- 'lar'links concurrently with the actual "per- "formance of"transforming"operations upon said strip of metal.

"Qt-In machine --of the character de- *scribed, the combination With"means for *transforming a strip of metal intoraseries of "connectedsimilar links,-'of meansforin- -'terspersing partiallycomplete'dsp'ecial links between tWo of said similarliiiks aiidforsinmltaneously connecting 'said speeial link 'Witlr both of saidsimilarlinks.

25. In a machine-ofthe cliaracter'described, the "combination With-means for- "transforming a strip of metalinto similar links, of meansfor iliterspersing special i links with said similarlinksand forsimulta-neouslyconnecting a special link with a "plurality of similarlinks.

26.. In *a *machine of the character I described, the combination Withmeans for transforming a strip "of metal into connected chain links, ofmeans "for connecting special links-in the strand of *chainat pre-"determined "intervals and simultaneously "With .transform-ingop'erations upon said stripof metal.

27. In a machine oli the character described, the combination with-means'yfor "*transformil'ig astrip of metal intotsections 6f connect-edsimilar" links, as meansfor inwterspersing 1 special links with: thesimilar .ili'nks and means"lor incorporating said "speciallinks in thestrand of'chain between "said sections concurrently with the operationor said meansior transforming "the strip of metal.

28.In a machine of the character 'described,*the combination with ,astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a stripof=metalinto a series of similar links, of means associated with saiddies for connecting specialllinks With said similar :links "While saiddies are actually transforming said strip.

29. In a machine of the character 'described, the vcoinbination with astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metalinto a series of connected similar links, of means associated ,Wltllsaid stationary 'dielor connecting partially com- .pleted special linkswith said similar links -While said dies are transforming said strip.

Ina machine of the character. de scribed, the combination With means fortransforming-astrip o l metal into connected similar chain'links,devices "for feeding said strip of metal and connected links forward andmeans for accelerating thedeefding of sai'd'connected links whereby linkspace isproduced"between said connected links and strip, of means; forieeding :a special *link to said link space and in -=positio11 "to beincorporated in the str and s1? chain.

31. In a machine of thecharacterdescribed the --comhination "withmeans"for transforming a strip "of 'inetal into con "necteclsimilar-chain links 'al idzmeansflfor feeding said strip and connected 5links "for- WttTCl step-by step of devices for accelerati'ng theforward', feeding "of said connected links 'at predetermined j intervalsWhile. s'aid strip andconnected links forwardaofdevices for acceleratingthe feeding movement of salid connectedlinks to produce a link spacel-betwe'en said dies, andumeans "for feeding a partially completedspecial link-torsai'd space'a-nd in position t0-be incorporated "in thestrand '01. chain.

In a machine of the character described, thecombination with astationary fliean'd; a movable fitlieadapted ,to", ,trans- "form astripofmetal'into connected similar chain links, :and devices for giving saidstrip and connected cha-in ,links :step-bystep-inward movement ofdevices ffor'accelerating the forward feeding of said connected links,and 111eans"forfeeding a special link to said dies and in position to beincorporated with the connected links and links subsequently formed fromsaid strip.

34. In a machine of the character described the combination of astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metalinto connected similar chain links, and devices for giving said stripand connected links step-by-step forward move ment, of devices foraccelerating the forward feeding movement of said connected links whilesaid strip of metal feeds forwardly one step, and means for feeding aspecial link to said dies between two similar links and forsimultaneously connecting said special link with both of said similarlinks.

35. In a machine of the described, the combination with means fortransforming a strip of metal into similar chain links, devices forfeeding said strip and similar links forward step-by-step, and means forsevering each link as completed from the strip of metal and connectingit with the next preceding link, of devices for accelerating the forwardfeeding movement of said connected links while said strip of metal feedsforwardly one step whereby a link space is produced between saidconnected links and strip, and means for feeding a special link to saidlink space and in position to be incorporated in the strand of chain.

36. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor transforming a strip of metal into connected chain links, said meansincluding devices for simultaneously feeding said strip and linksforward step-by-step of mechanism for accelerating the feeding movementof said connected links while said strip of metal feeds forwardly onestep.

' 37. In a machine of the character described, the combination withdevices for feeding a strip of metal and connected chain links forwardstep-by-step, of mechanism for accelerating the feeding movement of saidconnected links, said connected link feeding device including a ratchetwheel, a

, pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, a

cam arm normally in the path of said pawl whereby the pawl can rotatethe ratchet wheel only one step, and said accelerating mechanismincluding a pin carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to atintervals engage said cam arm to move it out of the path of said pawlwhereby the pawl can rotate the ratchet wheel a plurality of steps.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor transforming a strip of metal into connected similar chain links,devices for simultaneously feeding said strip and connected linksforward step-by-step, and means for at intervals accelerating thefeeding movecharacter ment of said connected links while said strip ofmetal is fed forward one step, of mechanism for feeding special links inposition to be incorporated in the strand of chain, said special linkfeed mechanism in cluding a link receiving member associated with thestrip transforming means, and devices for moving the special links fromsaid receiving member and placing the same contiguous with a portion ofthe strip transforming means.

39. In a machine of the character described, the combination with astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metalinto connected similar chain links, devices for simultaneously feedingsaid strip and connected links forward step-bystep, and means for atintervals acceleratin Y the feeding movement of said connecte linkswhile said strip of metal is fed forward one step, whereby a link spaceis )l'()- duced upon the finishing portion of the dies, of mechanism forfeeding special links in position to be incorporated in the strand ofchain, said special link feed mechanism including a link receivingmember associated with said dies, and devices for moving a special linkfrom said receiving member to each link space as produced.

40. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor progressively transforming material into connected chain links,means for feeding such material into position for transformation meansfor feeding said connected links, means for accelerating the feedingmovement of the means for feeding said connected chain links to providea space between said chain links and material, means for feeding intosuch formed space a partly formed chain link whereupon the said insertedlink is incorporated in the chain by said transforming means.

41. In a machine of the character described, the combination of meansfor transforming into connected chain links material from one source ofsupply, means for feeding said material to said transforming meansstep-by-step and at predetcr mined intervals, means for feeding saidconnected links, means for accelerating the feeding of the means forfeeding said connected chain links for one step, separate means forfeeding partly formed links from another source of material supply tosaid transforming means, and means correlated to effect the feed of thelast mentioned feed means when the feed of said connected links isaccelerated, whereby the resulting chain is formed from material fromsaid plurality of sources of supply.

42. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality of sources of chain material supply, means for transformingthe material into a chain,

means for step-by-step feeding of one of said materials to saidtransforming means, means for step-by-step feeding of the chain, meansfor periodically feeding the other material to said transforming means,and means for accelerating the step-by-step chain feeding means whilesaid other material feeding means operates.

43. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pairof relatively movable dies, mechanism for actuating the same, sources ofchain material supply, means controlled by said die actuating mechanismto separately feed the chain materials to and between said dies and forfeeding the chain step-by-step out of the machine, and means foraccelerating the speed of the chain when both feeding means operate.

4A. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pairof relaforming into connected chain links material from one source ofsupply, means for feeding said material to said transforming means atpredetermined intervals, means for feeding said connected links, meansfor accelerating the feed of a portion of such material beingtransformed and separate means for feeding material partly formed tosaid transforming means from another source of supply between theportions of the material in the transforming means so as to effecttherein formation of chain from material from said plurality of sourcesof supply.

45. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of asource of chain material supply, a source of special chain link supply,means for transforming said material into chain and incorporating linksfrom said special chain link supply therein, and means adapted to renderthe operation of said transforming and incorporating means concurrentand continuous.

46. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a sourceof chain material supply, a source of special chain link supply, meansfor transforming said material into chain and incorporating said linkstherein, means for separately feeding said material and said links tosaid transforming means, means to effect the feed of said material tosaid transforming means when the link feeding means operates, wherebychain is formed incorporating said special links, and means adapted torender the operation of said transforming and incorporating meansconcurrent and continuous.

47. In a machine of the character described, the combination with astationary die and a movable die having means adapted to transform astrip of metal into a series of connected similar links, of separatemeans on said dies for connecting partially completed special links withsaid similar links.

48. In a machine of the character described, the combination with astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metalinto similar links, including a finishing station for assembling saidsimilar links and devices for feeding said strip and connected linksforward during the transforming operation, of a duplicate finishingstation on said dies, devices for at intervals providing a link space atsaid duplicate finishing station, and means for feeding a special linkto said duplicate station in position to be incorporated in the strandof chain.

49. In a machine of the character described, the combination with astationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metalinto connected similar chain links, including a finishing station forsaid similar links on said dies, and devices for feeding said strip andconnected links forward during the transforming operations, of devicesfor accelerating the feeding movement of said connected links to producea link space upon said dies, a duplicate finishing station at said linkspace, and means for feeding a. partially completed special link to saidduplicate finishing station.

50. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of bending andtransforming elements adapted to-the purpose of forming chainprogressively, means for feeding material to and between said elements,means for causing relative movement between portions of said materialbeing transformed to form a space therebetween, means for feeding tosuch formed space other material for incorporation with and between saidportions, and means for simultaneously connecting at least one of saidportions and said other material in a strand of chain.

Signed at Bridgeport in the county of Fairfield, and State ofConnecticut this 17th day of February A. 1)., 1923.

SYLVANUS D. LOCKE.

